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For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

News

July 2015

Displaying 13 - 24 of 25
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The Government's much-anticipated productivity plan was published last week. But business groups are calling for more to be done on exports and skills.

More than half of the 844,000 home business owners in the UK who have children will spend time away from their business to be with their family over the summer.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

Many micro-business owners are failing to track their time and aren't billing clients for all the work they do, according to new research.

The latest British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey reveals that UK manufacturing is continuing the decline that was seen in the first quarter of 2015.

George Osborne's Summer Budget included a major overhaul of dividend taxation that could have a significant effect on small limited companies from 2016.

As many as a third of small business owners could be ready to hang up their hats in the next five years, as economic conditions finally look more favourable for those that want to sell up.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

A worrying number of the UK's small firms and micro-businesses are completely unprepared for the auto-enrolment pension process, according to two new research studies.

The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for an urgent overhaul of the business rates system this week in light of news that the Government took in £22.9bn in business rates in 2014-15

It has been a year since new legislation made it easier to request and negotiate flexible working arrangements. Now, with a growing skills gap, firms are using flexible terms in order to attract the best candidates.

The Government has commissioned an independent review to investigate the challenges and opportunities facing those who want to work for themselves.